Chapter Summaries of Educational Benefits

Active Duty

Chapter 30, the Montgomery GI Bill, includes persons presently serving on active duty or those who served on active duty for a period of at least two years since July, 1985. Eligibility is also extended to those who had remaining entitlement under Chapter 34 (Vietnam Era GI Bill) on December 31, 1989.

In addition, you must have received your high school diploma or GED during the qualifying period or have successfully completed the equivalent of 12 credit hours in a program leading toward a college degree.

Service-Disabled Veterans

The Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31) is a program designed to help you as a service-disabled veteran achieve independence in daily living, and obtain and maintain suitable employment.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Office, 5631 South 48th Street, 437-5011, determines the eligibility for this program. Once your eligibility has been established, visit the VA Clerk, 107 Canfield Administration Building, in the week prior to the first day of class for enrollment verification and a book voucher.

Dependent of a Veteran

Chapter 35, Dependents Educational Benefits, provides educational assistance to eligible dependents of certain veterans. To qualify, you must be a son, daughter, or spouse of:

a veteran who was permanently and totally disabled or who died as the result of a service-connected disability while on active duty;
or
an individual on active duty who has been listed as missing in action or captured in the line of duty.

File Numbers. Contact your local VA office first to apply for Chapter 35 benefits. If you are a dependent of a veteran, you will need to submit the proper VA file number (C-number) when applying for benefits with the VA Clerk. You may obtain this number from VA documents such as benefit checks or award letters or obtain it from the VA regional office.

Important Notice for Dependents - Nebraska State Educational Benefits. You may also be eligible for a tuition waiver through the State Department of Veterans Affairs. For further application information, contact the State Department of Veterans Affairs, State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE, 68508, 471-2458.

Guard or Reserves

The Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserves Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606) is for members of the Selected Reserves, including the National Guard, who enlisted, reenlisted, or extended an enlistment for a period of six years or more after June 30, 1985.

New Progam for Activated Reservists. Information pertaining to the new 1607 program can be viewed at the Education website, http://www.gibill.va.gov.

If you have been appointed or are serving as a reserve officer, you must have agreed to serve an additional six years in the Selected Reserves in addition to any other obligated service after June 30, 1985.

To receive benefits, you must have completed the initial active duty for training (IADT) and be in good standing in the Selected Reserves. In addition, you must have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or GED before completing IADT.

Effective November 30, 1993, eligible reservists may be paid benefits for the pursuit of a graduate program of education. A new contract or extension of a current obligation is not necessary to be eligible for this program.

Any questions concerning tuition assistance should be directed to your individual unit's educational office.   This tuition assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis.   Applications for tuition credit for the reserves should be taken to Student Accounts, 124 Canfield Administration Building, 472-2887.